Used bikes collected for needy

Published 4:41 pm, Thursday, December 6, 2012

CLIFTON PARK — A used bicycle can serve a new purpose — in Africa or for the needy in the Capital Region —through a collection effort on Saturday.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., representatives from Bicycles for Humanity (B4H) will be at Elevate Cycles, 1581 Route 9, Clifton Park to collect used adult bicycles, to be shipped to Africa, and children's bikes for area children.

Americans discard about 10 million bicycles a year and most are in perfect condition, or require only a little maintenance, the bicycle group says. But only about 50,000 bikes a year go to help the poor in developing countries.

Bicycles for Humanity supports bicycling empowerment centers, which are bicycle shops "in a box," ready to be delivered to communities in developing countries. It is stocked with 300 to 400 bicycles, tools, spare parts and accompanied by comprehensive training in bicycle mechanics.

Disadvantaged people and their communities gain their own transport and a way to maintain it.

A local chapter, B4H Adirondack, was organized this past summer and is the only chapter in the state. It covers all of upstate New York and Vermont.